PITTSBURGH -- Former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Santonio Holmes had to be escorted off a plane Thursday night at Pittsburgh International Airport, investigators said.Channel 11 News reporter Renee Kaminski said the incident happened shortly after 9 p.m. Investigators said Holmes wasn't arrested but was escorted off the plane for what they call being a "disruptive passenger."The plane was docked at Gate D77 when a "disturbance" involving an iPod and refusal to comply with flight crew demands was reported, investigators said.Earlier in the night, the following tweet was posted to Homes' Twitter account: "Only guy on the plane headed to Pitt from NJ, wearing my green n white. GO JETS!"Earlier this month, the New York Jets acquired the talented but troubled wide receiver from the Steelers in return for a fifth-round pick in the NFL draft.

Holmes has been suspended without pay by the NFL for the first four regular-season games for violating the league's substance abuse policy. However, he's eligible to participate in the team's offseason program and in all preseason practices and games.Holmes has 235 career catches for 3,835 yards and 20 touchdowns, but also brings his share of off-field issues, which could explain the relatively low price the Jets paid to get him.

The 26-year-old Holmes is facing a civil lawsuit in Florida from a woman who claims he threw a glass at her, cutting her above the eye, in an Orlando nightclub. The police also have been investigating the woman's claims. Holmes denies hurting the woman, and a witness has since taken responsibility for tossing the glass, according to Holmes' lawyer.In 2008, Holmes was arrested for possession of marijuana, and he was involved in a domestic violence incident in 2006. The misdemeanor charges were dismissed.The 5-foot-11 Holmes, a first-round pick out of Ohio State in 2006, adds a speedy complement to the Jets' passing game. He's coming off the best season of his career statistically, after having 79 catches for 1,248 yards and five touchdowns.

Fri Apr 30, 2010 10:12 am

Flipper

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Re: S.Holmes escorted off of Pitt flight

Let's turn that 4 game suspension into an 8 or 10 game one!!

Come on Goodell!!!!

Fri Apr 30, 2010 10:14 am

AQNOR

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Re: S.Holmes escorted off of Pitt flight

I try not to take pleasure in anothers downfall. But is this so much a suprise?

Fri Apr 30, 2010 11:39 am

joeschmoe

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Re: S.Holmes escorted off of Pitt flight

I'm not too sure that this will result in much of anything from the league. He wasn't arrested, nobody was harmed, it just sounds like he refused to turn his ipod off and perhaps caught an attitude about it.

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Fri Apr 30, 2010 11:41 am

Flipper

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Re: S.Holmes escorted off of Pitt flight

joeschmoe wrote:

I'm not too sure that this will result in much of anything from the league. He wasn't arrested, nobody was harmed, it just sounds like he refused to turn his ipod off and perhaps caught an attitude about it.

If he had a clean record, nothing would come of it. Someone with his history though, ya never know what Goodell will do!

Fri Apr 30, 2010 11:44 am

Phins Rock

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Re: S.Holmes escorted off of Pitt flight

I heard this on the radio on my way home today and nearly peed myself. What an idiot...

Fri Apr 30, 2010 12:31 pm

k-dash

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Re: OT: S.Holmes escorted off of Pitt flight

I just wrote in the blog breakdown of the division that one of the questions surrounding the Jets is "how long will it be before Holmes or Edwards has a meltdown?" Guess I should have said "the Next breakdown" lol

Fri Apr 30, 2010 12:47 pm

phinphan-n-buffalo

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Re: OT: S.Holmes escorted off of Pitt flight

As much as I hope that this is a big deal it's not. He prob just didn't want to turn off something small like a ipod or cell phone and cause he is who he is they made a big deal out of it. I mean come on he was leaving Pittsburg and they just wanted to make a big deal out of it. Now if something happens in NY then I would say get rid of him for more that 4 games.

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Fri Apr 30, 2010 12:57 pm

Iowafin

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Re: OT: S.Holmes escorted off of Pitt flight

If anyone so much as farts without Goodell's permission he's going to punish you.

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Fri Apr 30, 2010 1:13 pm

Flipper

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Re: OT: S.Holmes escorted off of Pitt flight

Why is it so hard to just turn off your Ipod? You are on an airplane, you are being told the rules. Follow the rules! It's not that difficult.

You would have thought by now this clown would have learned that nobody is above the law. I think this might turn into a big deal. Time will tell

Fri Apr 30, 2010 2:19 pm

D-Finz24

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Re: OT: S.Holmes escorted off of Pitt flight

i think holmes needs to do away with his twitter acount, its just tearin his life apart, but on the other hand, keep posting about ure self on twitter santonio maybe we wont have to see u at all this season. . haha

Fri Apr 30, 2010 3:14 pm

eleaf

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Re: OT: S.Holmes escorted off of Pitt flight

Flipper wrote:

Why is it so hard to just turn off your Ipod? You are on an airplane, you are being told the rules. Follow the rules! It's not that difficult.

You would have thought by now this clown would have learned that nobody is above the law. I think this might turn into a big deal. Time will tell

Actually, we need to get rid of the draconian airline rules. There is no reason why one must put away an iPod for take off. Or any other electric device for that matter.

It's no excuse to act like an idiot, but the real problem is airlines and airline employees with their absolutely ridiculous rules.

_________________A good RB is nice, a good QB even better, but it's best to be able to stop someone first.

Why is it so hard to just turn off your Ipod? You are on an airplane, you are being told the rules. Follow the rules! It's not that difficult.

You would have thought by now this clown would have learned that nobody is above the law. I think this might turn into a big deal. Time will tell

Actually, we need to get rid of the draconian airline rules. There is no reason why one must put away an iPod for take off. Or any other electric device for that matter.

It's no excuse to act like an idiot, but the real problem is airlines and airline employees with their absolutely ridiculous rules.

Yes, the employees made the rule. They spot something that is against the regulations, they respond to it. He should think: "its a 2 hour flight, that isnt a problem". Instead he acted like someone who the rules dont apply to and was correctly escorted off. I dont think anything else will come of it but if it does; Learn to tolerate society.

_________________-A Dane lost on the internet, crashed here-

Sat May 01, 2010 8:17 am

NFLJunkie

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Re: OT: S.Holmes escorted off of Pitt flight

eleaf wrote:

Flipper wrote:

Why is it so hard to just turn off your Ipod? You are on an airplane, you are being told the rules. Follow the rules! It's not that difficult.

You would have thought by now this clown would have learned that nobody is above the law. I think this might turn into a big deal. Time will tell

Actually, we need to get rid of the draconian airline rules. There is no reason why one must put away an iPod for take off. Or any other electric device for that matter.

It's no excuse to act like an idiot, but the real problem is airlines and airline employees with their absolutely ridiculous rules.

I suggest you do your research on cell phone interference with medical devices before ruling out they don't interfere with other devices. Furthermore, I for one wouldn't want someone using the shell of an ipod for any other purpose. To make it easy on the airline personnel, all electronic devices need to be turned off. I watched in amazement as a guy tried to argue for 5 minutes that a Kindle wasn't an electronic device. I fly about once a week and the rule is simple, easy to follow and has an element of safety too it. I'm amazed Holmes wasn't arrested. If you or I delayed a flight by getting thrown off you can bet your paycheck we'd have been arrested.

Sat May 01, 2010 9:21 am

Flipper

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Re: OT: S.Holmes escorted off of Pitt flight

an employee does her job correctly and she gets blamed by some. UNREAL!!

If your on a plane that is flying into a building, I bet you wish an employee at some point in the system did their job better so you wouldn't be in any kind of situation like that. And you wouldn't be saying, "oh those rules, too many rules"....lol

If you want the big rules enforced, then you must enforce the little ones. LIKE TAKING YOUR IPOD OFF AND TURNING IT OFF!

Some people still don't get it!!

Sat May 01, 2010 3:04 pm

AQNOR

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Re: OT: S.Holmes escorted off of Pitt flight

I heard in an espn radio report that he told his coach that he indeed did turn off his I-pod when asked but just left in the ear buds. He said the flight attendent just assumed he did not comply because of that.

Sat May 01, 2010 5:30 pm

Phins Rock

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Joined: Tue Jan 12, 2010 11:28 amPosts: 7532Location: Massachusetts

Re: OT: S.Holmes escorted off of Pitt flight

AQNOR wrote:

I heard in an espn radio report that he told his coach that he indeed did turn off his I-pod when asked but just left in the ear buds. He said the flight attendent just assumed he did not comply because of that.

That's such BS. And they would throw him off the plane in that scenario??

I realize sometimes because of the name and image these players can get that type of treatment, maybe unfairly, and especially considering he was in a city that he just screwed...so maybe I could see that playing a role, but from everything I've heard and read, Santonio was being an immature jerk and got what he deserved. We'll let the story play out though.

Sat May 01, 2010 5:59 pm

eleaf

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Re: OT: S.Holmes escorted off of Pitt flight

Flipper wrote:

an employee does her job correctly and she gets blamed by some. UNREAL!!

If your on a plane that is flying into a building, I bet you wish an employee at some point in the system did their job better so you wouldn't be in any kind of situation like that. And you wouldn't be saying, "oh those rules, too many rules"....lol

How's that straw man doing? You're really going to compare not agreeing with iPod rules to a man flying a plane in to a building? Seriously?

_________________A good RB is nice, a good QB even better, but it's best to be able to stop someone first.

Sun May 02, 2010 2:18 am

eleaf

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Re: OT: S.Holmes escorted off of Pitt flight

NFLJunkie wrote:

eleaf wrote:

Flipper wrote:

Why is it so hard to just turn off your Ipod? You are on an airplane, you are being told the rules. Follow the rules! It's not that difficult.

You would have thought by now this clown would have learned that nobody is above the law. I think this might turn into a big deal. Time will tell

Actually, we need to get rid of the draconian airline rules. There is no reason why one must put away an iPod for take off. Or any other electric device for that matter.

It's no excuse to act like an idiot, but the real problem is airlines and airline employees with their absolutely ridiculous rules.

I suggest you do your research on cell phone interference with medical devices before ruling out they don't interfere with other devices. Furthermore, I for one wouldn't want someone using the shell of an ipod for any other purpose. To make it easy on the airline personnel, all electronic devices need to be turned off. I watched in amazement as a guy tried to argue for 5 minutes that a Kindle wasn't an electronic device. I fly about once a week and the rule is simple, easy to follow and has an element of safety too it. I'm amazed Holmes wasn't arrested. If you or I delayed a flight by getting thrown off you can bet your paycheck we'd have been arrested.

Done.

Quote:

Battery of testsA 1996 study commissioned by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration looked at thousands of flight records and failed to find a single instance in which equipment was affected by a wireless phone. The study was conducted by RTCA Inc., a nonprofit organization that sets industry standards for airplane electronics.

Plane makers Boeing Co. and Airbus Industrie have bombarded their aircraft with cell-phone frequencies and discovered no interference with communication, navigation or other systems. One likely reason that no problems were found: cellular phones don't operate on any of the frequencies used by airplane systems.

"The airlines are misleading the traveling public," says John Sheehan, who headed the RTCA study and says he has often used his own cell phone in the sky. "There is no real connection between cell-phone frequencies and the frequencies of the navigation" or communications systems.

There is no evidence whatsoever that cell phones interfere with plane electronics. There isn't any theoretical evidence to suggest that non-frequency transmitting electronics, such as iPods and the like, can even possibly interfere.

Many airlines now offer wi-fi service on their flights.

And how does using "approved" electronic devices cause any more interference on the ground than it does once we pass that magical altitude of 10,000 feet than above it?

These are rules for the sake of rules. I was once told by flight attendant that, by law, I had to close my window during takeoff because of national security reasons.

_________________A good RB is nice, a good QB even better, but it's best to be able to stop someone first.

Sun May 02, 2010 2:41 am

Flipper

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Joined: Tue Apr 27, 2010 4:40 pmPosts: 148

Re: OT: S.Holmes escorted off of Pitt flight

eleaf wrote:

Flipper wrote:

an employee does her job correctly and she gets blamed by some. UNREAL!!

If your on a plane that is flying into a building, I bet you wish an employee at some point in the system did their job better so you wouldn't be in any kind of situation like that. And you wouldn't be saying, "oh those rules, too many rules"....lol

How's that straw man doing? You're really going to compare not agreeing with iPod rules to a man flying a plane in to a building? Seriously?

No. But I want all the airline people doing their job and making sure EVERYONE is following every rule. You never know where the next nut-job is. If you don't like the rules.....drive a car! Otherwise, people need to zip it on flights, follow all the rules no matter how petty they may seem and enjoy the flight!

Sun May 02, 2010 5:49 am

NFLJunkie

Phinfever Blog Writer - Thursdays

Joined: Wed Jan 13, 2010 10:47 amPosts: 6172

Re: OT: S.Holmes escorted off of Pitt flight

"A 1996 study commissioned by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration looked at thousands of flight records and failed to find a single instance in which equipment was affected by a wireless phone. The study was conducted by RTCA Inc., a nonprofit organization that sets industry standards for airplane electronics. "

Just a stupid question. How does the FAA look at "flight records" to determine if cell phones or equipment have been affected by a wireless phone? Phones are obviously turned off during 1996 study. Furthermore, do you realize that in 1996 there were very few cell phones being used? Furthermore, it isn't 1 cell phone that would interfere, it is the heteodyning of several cell phone frequencies that would interfere. The addition of several nondescript harmonics might create a "rogue" wave capable of a sudden disruption. While I think the incident is unlikely, it isn't an impossible scenario. Personally, if you can't live without an electronic device for 10 minutes on each side of landing and takeoff, you need a life.

Sun May 02, 2010 5:15 pm

eleaf

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Joined: Wed Jan 13, 2010 1:49 amPosts: 4146Location: The Bluegrass

Re: OT: S.Holmes escorted off of Pitt flight

NFLJunkie wrote:

"A 1996 study commissioned by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration looked at thousands of flight records and failed to find a single instance in which equipment was affected by a wireless phone. The study was conducted by RTCA Inc., a nonprofit organization that sets industry standards for airplane electronics. "

Just a stupid question. How does the FAA look at "flight records" to determine if cell phones or equipment have been affected by a wireless phone? Phones are obviously turned off during 1996 study. Furthermore, do you realize that in 1996 there were very few cell phones being used? Furthermore, it isn't 1 cell phone that would interfere, it is the heteodyning of several cell phone frequencies that would interfere. The addition of several nondescript harmonics might create a "rogue" wave capable of a sudden disruption. While I think the incident is unlikely, it isn't an impossible scenario. Personally, if you can't live without an electronic device for 10 minutes on each side of landing and takeoff, you need a life.

Go to Boeing and read their very in depth reports gauging possible interference from virtually every cell phone sold as well as dozens of other electronics.. They have not been able to find any evidence whatsoever that any electronics cause any interference with airplanes. What anecdotal evidence there is has not been able to be reproduced in any fashion whatsoever. They openly admit that the evidence to justify warnings about interference cannot be found, but that it is merely a measure to take culpability from the airlines. No study from either private entities of federal ones can show any evidence that using consumer electronics on a plane causes interference.

_________________A good RB is nice, a good QB even better, but it's best to be able to stop someone first.